Why do I still look pregnant?

Again thanks to Babycenter baby Bulletin for this article..hopefully everybody will get some ideas why we still have that so-called-spare-tyres..At the same time..need to excercise and exercise, a healthy lifestyle will keep u up n running all the times

One of the biggest surprises for a woman just after giving birth is the way her tummy looks. The baby is out, but there it is, right around the navel, a big, round, squishy puffball, making you look like you're still six months pregnant. Many women also have a dark line down their abdomen called a linea nigra and a web of stretch marks, which are actually little scars caused by the excessive stretching of skin. Those who had a c-section have surgical scars to contend with as well.The reason you still look pregnant is that it takes time for your body to completely recover from delivery. Imagine your abdomen as a stretchy balloon, slowly inflating as the baby grows. Instead of popping the balloon, childbirth starts a slow leak. But it's a steady one. From the moment your baby is born, hormonal changes cause your midsection to deflate, shrinking it back to its pre-pregnancy state. It takes about four weeks for the uterus to contract back to its normal size. All the cells in your body that swelled during pregnancy will begin releasing their fluids in the form of urine, vaginal secretions, and sweat. And the extra fat you put on to nourish the baby will start burning off (especially if you're nursing and exercising). But it takes at least a few weeks before you see noticeable results.Stretch marks and the linea nigra endure even longer. The good news is that stretch marks usually become considerably less noticeable within about six to 12 months following childbirth. The pigmentation in them fades and they generally become lighter than the surrounding skin (the color will vary depending on your skin color), but their texture will remain the same. The dark color of the linea nigra will gradually fade over the course of a year, but that too, may never completely go away. We've all heard stories of new moms whose tummies are tight and flat immediately after giving birth. This does happen, but it's extremely rare. For most women it takes months to get rid of the "pregnancy pouch," and sometimes it never goes away.Patience is key. It took nine months for your abdomen to stretch enough to accommodate a full-term baby, and it takes many women that long or longer to tighten it back up.The speed and degree of this transition depends largely on your normal body size, how much weight you gained during pregnancy, how active you are, and your genes. Women who gained less than 25 to 30 pounds during pregnancy, exercised regularly throughout pregnancy, and who have had only one child are the most likely to slim down quickly. Others, especially those who put on more than 25 to 30 pounds during pregnancy, have had more than one child, and don't exercise regularly, will be a bit rounder in the middle for months or years to come. It's important to note that if you're not breastfeeding, you need to watch how much you're eating. You'll have to give up those extra snacks you enjoyed during pregnancy. You need fewer calories now that the baby is on the outside.